Fowlers give $5 million to UA scholarship campaign

Chris and Jamie Fowler of Jonesboro contributed $5 million toward the Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowment at the University of Arkansas, according to a Wednesday (March 5) news release.

Chris Fowler retired from Jonesboro-based Fowler Foods Inc. as president in 2021. At its peak, Fowler Foods operated more than 90 KFC/Taco Bell stores in eight states. The Jonesboro business was started in 1965 by Jama and Wallace Fowler. In 2013, the Fowlers sold Liberty Bank to Home Bancshares for $280 million.

As of March 1, the Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign had raised 64% of its goal in 11% of the time through more than $127.26 million in pledges and commitments. The three-year initiative aims to increase educational access for students from all 75 Arkansas counties, improve graduation rates, and create a partnership between the UA and businesses throughout the state. The $200 million campaign launched Nov. 12.

With their gift, Chris and Jamie Fowler join the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle. It comprises university alumni and friends who support the campaign with a gift of at least $1 million.

“The Fowler family’s generosity has shaped our campus in countless ways,” said UA Chancellor Charles Robinson. “With their support of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, Chris and Jamie are continuing that incredible legacy — providing deserving students with the resources they need to succeed and making a lasting impact on our institution and our state.”

“We are truly grateful for this momentous gift to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship that will propel transformational change for generations of Arkansans,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “As members of the Leaders of Arkansas Founders’ Circle of the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, Chris and Jamie continue to build upon their legacy of support and passion for advancing the educational mission of the university and directly impacting the lives of Arkansas students just as Chris’ late parents, Wallace and Jama Fowler, have.”

The Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House on North Razorback Road is the chancellor’s official residence and is adjacent to the Fowler House Garden and Conservatory. Chris and Jamie Fowler also contributed $500,000 to the renovation of the David W. Mullins Library, which will include a new café, Fowler’s Nook. The renovation is set to be completed later this month.

The Fowlers have supported the UA athletic department and provided gifts to the Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center, the Christy Rankin Tennis Lobby, and the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium renovation and expansion.

The Fowlers have also supported the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the NEA Baptist Fowler Family Cancer Center for Cancer Care, Arkansas State University-Newport, the University of Central Arkansas Nursing School, Arkansas Hands & Voices, and Arkansas Children’s Foundation.

Chris Fowler was president of Fowler Foods from 1987 until his retirement in 2021. At age 13, he worked as a cook at a KFC operated by Fowler Foods. He became assistant manager before moving to the company’s headquarters to focus on remodeling projects and training employees.

Chris and Jamie Fowler are Towers of Old Main and members of the Chancellor’s Society. In 2014, Chris Fowler served on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee.